Steeping press



June 24, 1952 G. JoRls STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. '7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet1 ,4k-mem June 24, 1952 G. JoRls 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FLE E a IVENTOAGASTO/v Je/s BY 1977 @eA/E7 O A 1. o O O ,lll/17,

G JORIS STEEPING PRESS June 24, 1952 Flled Aug '7. 1947 June 24, 1952 G@JORIS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 STEEPING PRESS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 //"'i onmmnlm.um||||||||||||m I/ 66 6 i 7i T lUlr- INVENTOR. GAsroA/c/oR/SATTORNEY June 24, 1952 G, Oms 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. '7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 EN TOR.

A T TORNEX June 24, 1952 G. JORIS 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 fr sheets-sheet e IN V EN TOR., AsrofvUGR/5 BY 'Mlm/f A TTOAF/VEY June 24, 1952 G. JoRls 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 JNVENTOR. Asro/vdoe/5 A TTOR/VE Y Patented June 24, 1952 STEEPING PRESS Gaston Joris,Paris, France, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Textile and ChemicalResearch Company Limited, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, acorporation of Great Britain Application August 7, 1947, Serial No.767,274 In France March 3, 1945 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8,1946 Patent expires March 3, 1965 (Cl. U-50) 9 claims. 1

This invention relates to a steeping press for steeping cellulose pulpsheets in caustic soda solution. More particularly, it relates to asteeping presshaving means to automatically discharge the cellulosesheets after the steeping operation.

In the preparation of viscose from cellulose pulp sheets, the rst stepconsists in steeping such sheets in a mercerizing solution of causticsoda containing approximately 240 grams of caustiesoda per liter. At thecompletion of the steeping step, the sheets are subjected to a pressingoperation to eliminate the excess caustic soda and the hemicellulosesdissolved in the alkaline solution.

. The'steeping and pressing operations were generally effected in asingle apparatus named a steeping press which consisted of a longhorizontaltank provided with a piston susceptible of axial movement insaid tank. The sheets, in small bundles of, for example, 10 to 20sheets, were placed vertically in the tank between `perforated spacerplates designed to insure uniform spacing of the bundles and` tofacilitate the uniform penetration of the steeping solution. After thepress was loaded with the bundles of cellulose pulp sheets and thespacers suitably arranged therebetween, the steeping press was lledJwiththe mercerizing (caustic alkali) solution.` The sheets were steeped foran appropriate1time, for example 30 minutes to l hour, at the end'o'fwhich the steeping liquor was discharged from the tank. Thereafter, thepiston was actuated, for example through a screw or hydraulic means, andthe excess liquid expressed from the sheets. AWhen the desired excesscaustic soda had been removed from the sheets, the piston was retractedand the bundles of sheets were removed from the tank manually by workerswho placed them on carriers in order to compare the weight of themercerized sheets with the Weight of the alpha-cellulose employed. Ingeneral, the ratio of the treated sheets to the weight of thealphacellulose employed was 3 :1.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved steepingpress.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steeping press havingmeans for automatically discharging the treated sheets from the press.

Other and additional objects of the invention will become apparenthereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, in general, by providinga steeping press formed in two sections, one of said sections beingfixed and open at the rear end thereof, and the second section beingopen at the front thereof and movable so that the open ends of the twosections can be brought into abutting relationship. The press isprovided with a carrier carrying a platen which extends in the tank andserves as a support against which the sheets of pulp are compressed bythe action of a piston in the xed tank section. The carrier from whichthe platen is suspended is independently movable so that the platen canbe positioned to receive the pressure during the expressing action.Means are also provided to secure the platen in position during thecompression action.

A plate is slidably mounted on the edges of the fixed tank section inposition to be advanced axially of the tank during the compressionstroke of the piston. When the piston is retracted, the plate, which isnot secured to the piston, is caused to move rearwardly by the expansionof the pulp sheets. Means are provided on said plate to cooperate withmeans carried by the supporting platen whereby said plate is secured tosaid platen and in spaced relationship thereto, with the result that thesheets of pulp are secured be,

`tween the supporting platen and the plate.

A hopper is provided beneath the open end of the fixed tank section.When the movable tank section is in cooperative relationship with thexed tank section, the former will close the hopper. When the sheets aresecured between the supporting platen and plate and the movable tanksection is retracted, the hopper is uncovered. The carrier is thencaused to move in a direction so that the block of sheets will. bedisposed over the hopper. The bundle of' sheets, by virtue of theirweight, detach themselves from the spacers and drop into the hopper,which feeds them to a suitable collection device.

Means are provided to disengage and release .the plate from thesupporting platen whereby the plate can be returned to its originalposition in the xed tank section.

The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference tothe following detailed description when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a steeping press embodying the principles ofthis invention with parts in loading position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged sections taken on the lines 3-3 and 4 4respectively of Figure 5;

Fig. 3a is a section taken on the line 3a-3a of Fig. 3;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the steeping press at various stages ofthe operation;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the operating mechanism for thecarrier and the supporting plate carried thereby;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 11;

Figure 10 is a section taken on the line I0I0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line II-I I of Figure 9; and

Figure 12 is a section taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designatelike parts, the reference numeral I designates a main fixed tank sectionwhich is open at the rear end thereof, and the reference numeral 2designates an auxiliary tank section which is open at its front end. Theauxiliary tank 2 is `provided with rollers 3, 3a and 4, 4a adapted `toride on. xed rails 5 and 5a which are'supported at one end by up-'rights' and 6a and at the opposite end by a frame 1 surrounding theopen end of the tank section I. The section 2 also carries a grid plateIa Fig. 4) to support the cellulose sheets.

' A rigid cross-bar or beam 8 is slidably mounted' on the rails 5 and5a. The cross-bar` 8 is provided with a screw 9 which is provided with'a hand wheel IIl at one end thereof, and the other end thereof isseated in a boss II on the -outer end wall I2 of the auxiliary tank 2.When the auxiliary tank 2 occupies the position shown in Figure1,*cotter pins I3 and i3d are disposed in .holes of the r-ails 5 and 5ato serve as an abutment orstop for the cross-bar `8 and prevent it fromshifting to the left (in Figure 1) when the open endsl of the tanksections'l and 2 are in abutting relationship. An appropriate seal I4,such as a rubber sealing strip, renders the joint between the auxiliarytank section 2 and the xed'tank section I liquid-tight. When the cot-'ter pins I3 'and I3a are removed, the cross-bar 8 can bev retracted onthe rails 5 and 5a into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2,with the result that the auxiliary tank section 2 can be moved intospaced relationship with the tank section I, as shown in dotted lines inFigure 2. Thus, the auxiliary tank section 2 can be dis- 'posed so thatVthe open end thereof will be in abutting relationship with the open endof the xed tankV section I, or the auxiliary tank section 2 lcan bedisposed in spaced relationship with respect to the ixed tank section I.

In the fixed tank section I, there is provided a piston I5 which ismounted on one end of a piston rod 'I which, in turn, is adapted to beoperated in a known manner, such as hydraulically or through a screw, sothat the piston I5 .it will engage the auxiliary grid I'I and causeIit-,to move axially through the tank section I. It is to be noted thatthe movable auxiliary grid yI'I is not secured to the piston I5 and thatwhen the piston is retracted it will not retract such grid I'I. As shownin Fig. 3, the grid I'I is in the form of a framework comprisingvertical mem- ;bers IIaand horizontal members IIb and Ic.

A carrier'lS provided with rollers 28 and 2M is adapted to ride on theLipper edges of the auxiliary tank section 2 and the fixed tank sectionI when they are disposed in abutting relationship. The carrier I9 isalso adapted to ride on rails i8 when the auxiliary tank section is inspaced relationship to the xed tank section, as shown, for example inFigure 6. The rails I3 are carried by the tank section 2 and are offsetto pass the walls of the tank section I but register with the top edgeof the tank walls to carry the rollers 20 and 22a when the rails areretracted as in Figure 6. The carrier I9 supports an approach platen 2Iwhich is provided with two forwardly extending side rods 22 and 22awhich, adjacent their forward ends, are provided with holes 23 and 23a.For reasons which will hereafter appear, the freely movable plate I'I isprovided with latch members 24 and 24a adapted to cooperate with theholes 23 and 23a respectively. The latch members 24 and 24a arecontinuously urged outwardly by springs 25 and 25a. The latch members 24and 24a are secured to'a cam 26 which is adapted to be operated by a camleverY 26 whereby each of the locking members can be removed from therespective hole. For reasons which will become apparent, the holes 23and 23a are so shaped that the latch mem- -bers 24 and 24a of the plateI'I will only be secured therein when the plate Il is moved rearwardly(to the right in Figure 1) during or after the retraction of the pistonI5. During the compression stroke of the piston I5, the respective latchmembers 24 and 2do, will not be secured in but will travel through therespective holes 23 and 23a. c

The rollers 2s are rotatably mountedon a shaft 35 carried in bosses S ofa bracket 35 secured to the platen 2i. The rollers 22a are rotatablymounted on a shaft 3l rotatably mounted in bearings 38 on brackets 39appropriately secured to the'platen 2i.

The carrier i9 is provided with a reversible motor 2?. The motor 2l' issecured on a bracket i3 which, in turn, is appropriately secured tothetop of the movable platen 2|. The motor shaft Sii is provided with apulley 45 which cooperates with a belt 48 trained over a pulley 5B of aspeed reducer v5.2 mounted on a bracket 53 secured to the platen EI, Thespeed reducer 52 is provided with an output shaft 5d which carries apinion 5S at each end therecf. Each pinion 5S is adapted to cooperatewith a gear 5.8 which, in turn,A is adapted to rotate a shaft E2. Eachshaft 69 is rotatably mounted in bearings G2 appropriately secured bybolts Sli on the rear surface of the platen 2i. Each of the verticalshafts 60 has secured thereto a gear 5S, each of which is adapted tocooperate with a rack G8 on the opposite sidewalls of the tank section 2whereby movement of the carrier over the tank is facilitated. It isapparent that upon actuation of the motor 2l', the carrier I9 will bemoved longitudinally of the press and the platen 2l `will be movedaxially in the tank.

The forward movement (to the right in Figure l) of the carrier iand theplaten 2i is automatically stopped when a finger 23 on the carrierengages an electric switch 23' in the circuit of the motor 2? which ispositioned at the end of the path of travel of the carrier. The backwardmovement (to the left in Figure l) of the carrier IS and the platen 2|is stopped by anger engaging a switch (not shown) in the motor circuitand whichr is positioned at the end of the path of travel of thecarrier.

As will become apparent, the platen 2| receives the pressure exerted bythe piston I5 during the compression operation for removing the excesssteeping liquor from the sheets, and means are therefore provided toabsorb thepressure exerted on the platen. In the form shown (see Figuresand 12), the platen 2| is provided with two pairs of transverselyextending movable bolts 18 and 1|. The bolts of each pair are adapted tobe moved in opposite directions to engage pockets 12 in a strap 29surrounding the open end of tank I. In the form shown, movement of thebolts 10 and 1| is obtained through the operation of a hand wheel 30.The hand wheel 30 is secured on one end of the shaft 31, on which issecured a pinion 16. The pinion 16 is adapted to cooperate with a gear18 at one end of a vertical shaft 80 rotatably mounted in a bearing 82appropriately secured to the platen 2|. A cap 84 is appropriatelysecured to the platen 2|. Two gears 86 and 88 are each keyed to theshaft. The gear 88 is adapted to cooperate with the rack members 90 ofthe bolts 1|, and the gear 88 is adapted to cooperate with the racks 92provided on the bolts 10. It is apparent that upon-manipulation of thehand wheel 30, the bolts 10 and 1I will be actuated so that they willengage the grooves 12 in the strap 29 or be withdrawn from such grooves.

The shaft 31, which is controlled by the Voperation of the hand wheel30, also controls clutches for disposing the shafts 60 in and out ofdriving relationship with the gears 58. To effect this, each gear 58 isprovided with a female clutch member |00, and a male clutch member |02is secured to the shaft 60 through a pin |04 and aislot |06, whereby theclutch member |02 can slide axially of the shaft 60. A spring |08 tendsto normally urge the male clutch member I 02 into cooperativerelationship with the female clutch member |00. Each clutch member |02is provided with an annular recess, in which there is positioned tworolls |I0 rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of a yoke II2. Eachyoke II2 is carried at one end of a lever |l4, the other end of which isprovided with a cam roller |I6 cooperating with a cam |,I8 on the shaft31. Each lever I4 is pivoted on a pin |20 appropriately secured to theplaten 2|.

The shaft 31 is also provided with a cam |24 .which is adapted tooperate a safety switch |26, which will permit the circuit controllingthe actuation of the piston I5 to be energized.

The tank section is provided with an inlet of the usual type (not shown)for the introduction of the treating liquid and an outlet 3|. It is tobe noted that a hopper 32 is provided adjacent the open end of the tanksection and. that this hopper is closed by the bottom of the tanksection 2 when the tank section 2 is in abutting relationship with thefixed tank section I.

' The hopperA 32 leads to suitable means (not shown) for receiving thematerial delivered thereto by the hopper. i

A housing |30 is secured to the shaft 35 by wing nuts I 32 and to shaft31 by the collar |34 rand the hub |36 of the hand wheel 30.

In operation, the auxiliary tank 2 is advanced toward the tank section Iuntil the `ends are in abutting relationship and the cotter pins I3 andi3d positioned in place. The bundles of cellulose pulp vsheets togetherwith the spacersare then disposed vertically on edge into the tank. Atthis stage of the operation. the piston I5, the movable plate I1 'andthe platen 2| are in positions'substantially as shown in Figure l. Thesteeplng liquor is then introduced into the tank and, after the requiredquantity thereof has been introduced, the sheets are permitted to soaktherein for the required period of time. At the end of the soakingperiod, the outlet 3| is opened whereby the steeping liquor is drainedfrom the tank. The motor 21 is then started and, as a consequence, thecarrier is caused to travel longitudinally of the tank to the right inFigure 1 until it assumes the position shown in Figure 5. At this time,the hand wheel 30 is rotated so that the gears 86 and 88 actuate therespective locking members 1I and 10 so that they will engage thepockets 12 in the strap 29. In addition to securing the locking members10 and 1| in position, rotation of the hand wheel 30 also actuates thecam mechanisms I I6 and I I8 to release the clutch between each of thegears 58 and the shaft 60. Rotation of the shaft 31 also actuates theswitch element |26 which permits the circuit which controls theactuation of the piston I5 to be closed. The piston circuit is thenclosed'and, as a consequence, the piston I5 is advanced toward the leftas shown in Figure 5, whereby it compresses the pulp sheets to expresstherefrom the excess steeping liquor. During the compression stroke, thepiston I5 carries with it the plate I1, and at the end of thecompression stroke of the piston I5 the position of the parts issubstantially as shown in Figure 5. At the end of the compressionstroke, the piston rod I6 is retracted, with the result that the pistonI5 is also retracted to its original position, as shown in Figure 6.Upon the retraction of the piston I5, the sheet bundles expand, causingthe plate I1 to be moved to the right in Figure 6. As the plate I1advances to the right in Figure 6, the latch means 24 and 24a, under theaction of the springs 25 and 25a, will be caused to enter into thellholes"`23 and 23a of the rods 22 and 22a which are rigid with theplaten 2|. At this stage, the bundles of sheets are'disposed between theplate I1 and the platen 2 I.

The hand wheel I0 is then manipulated so that the screw 9 is moved in adirection to reduce the pressure of the cross-piece 8 on the cotter pinsI3 and |3a, after which such cotter pins are removed and the cross-piecewithdrawn to the position designated as 8' in Figure '7, and theauxiliary tank section 2 can be moved rearwardly and withdrawn from thefixed tank section I, whereby the hopper 32 is uncovered. l

The motor 21 is then actuated again (its direction of rotation beingautomatically reversed by suitable contacts not shown) whereby thecarrier is caused to return to its original position, at which point themotor automatically stops. At this time, the parts are substantially inthe positions shown in Figure 7, and the sheets of pulp disposed abovethe hopper 32. In this position, the sheets between the platen 2| andthe plate I1, detached from the spacers by their own weight, fall intothe hopper which directs the sheets to a carrier (not shown) providedbeneath the hopper 32. Thereafter, the cam lever 26 is actuated towithdraw the locking means 24 and 24a from the holes 23 and 23a, wherebythe plate I1 can be slidably moved to its original position. If desired,the plate I1 can be released prior to or during the discharging of thesheets.

After complete unloading, the auxiliary tank section 2 is brought backinto contact with the tank I, and the cross-piece 8 is restored to itsoriginal position. The cotter pins I3 and I3a are inserted in the holesand the hand Wheel I0 isoperated so as topress the twoV tanksstrongly.together.: The plate IT is then. restored to its original-position.

Before: the motori?V is actuated. to return the carrier to its originalposition, the handz. wheel 302 issoperatedeither. prior to or subsequentto the repositioning of l the. auxiliary tank section 2, wherebyv the.locking: elementsfl and 'l l are With.- drawn from the pockets. 12,.and' the. gears 58 secured in. driving relationship with the shafts 6Ubythe,respective'clutches;

Since it: is. obvious that various changes: and modifications: can bemade. in the; above; description .withoutv departing` from the. natureor." spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted' thereto exceptfasset forth in the appendedclaims.

I? claimz' l1. A steepingf press for steeping cellulose pulpsheetszarranged'in said press vertically oni edge and:v in bundles'whichare-separated by'spacers, comprising" a= xedtank section open'. atits'rear endg. a movable tank sectionopen at itsforward end,.. means to.move saidmovable tank section Y toward. and away from. said fixed tanksection,

means totsecuresaid tank sections with the open ends.. thereof in,abutting relationship, a. piston slidably positionedin the nxed tanksection, a movable platen-adapted to bel disposed adjacent the openlend. of said; fixed section and constitute?. ai support' against whichthe sheets in the tank arepressedby said piston,. a plate slidablymountedjinsaid fixed tank section ahead oisaid piston, .means to locksaid. plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen when-thevpiston is retracted..` after its compression. stroke whereby tlievsheets are; eonned between vsaid platen' and plate, and a hopperadjacent the open end of said' xedgtan'k sectionandadapted to be coveredby saidfmovabletank:section when the ends of said inovablefsection andIfixedl section are iii-abutting relationship; 4 said sheets being.discharged under their. own weight into said hopper. when said movabletank sectionis positionedv so-that said hopper isnot covered thereby andwhen said platenA and plate are: disposed over said hopper.

2.' A-.steeping pressvforxsteepingl cellulose. pulp sheetszarrangedlinsaid'. press. vertically on edge andin bundles which' are separated .byspacers, comprising a xedtank'section open-at its rear endg'.a..xnovablectank section open at itsforward end, said. movable tanksection having' rollers adapted to ride on rails whereby'said movablesectioncan be moved'towar'd or awayfrom said xed:section;.means tosecure said tank sections with the open endsthereof in=abuttingrelationship; a.vv pistoni slidablyl positioned in the. fixed tanksection,a.movable,platen adapted to be vdisposed adjacenti the open end.of said. fixed tank sectionand constitute afsupport against whichthe-sheets in theftankare, pressed vby said=piston, afplatel slidablymounted insaid-xedtank section ahead. ofA saidpiston, means tolock saidpla-te .to and in'spacedlrelationship to said platen. when the. pistonis retracted after.- itscompression stroke 4whereby the sheets .areconned .between said platenand plateVand. a. hopper adjacent the.v openend of. said xed tank section and adapted. to be.. covered bysaidmovablbe. tank section when .the ends of saidmovabblesection andxed. section arev in abutting relationship, Said-sheets.beingdischarged' under their own weightinto saidhopper whensaid movablesection is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and.when said `platenand plate are disposed over said hopper..

Cir

3. Asteepi'ng press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets` arranged insaid. press verticallyV on"V edge and in bundles which are separatedbyspacers, comprising a iixed tank* section open at its rear end, a.-movabletank section open at its forward.

end, said movable tank section having rollers'- adapted.- to rideY onvrails whereby said movable.

section can be moved into abutting relationship' with1 orawayfromY saidxed section,. a crosspiece-slidably mounted on said rails rearwardly of.said movable tank section, a screw carried by said cross-piece andadapted to. engage the rear wall of said movable tank section, means tosecure said. cross-piece-against rearwardmovementwhenrthe open'endsofsaid tank sections are in abutting-relationship, a piston slidablypositioned. in the-fixed tank section, a movable platen adapted to bedisposed adjacent the open end of saidxed tank section and constitute asupport against .which ,the sheets in the tank are pressed by saidpiston, a' plate slidably mounted in said xed tank section' aheadof'said piston, meansto lock said plate to and in spaced relationship tosaid platen whenthe piston is retractedafter its compression stroke'whereby the sheets are conned betweenU saidY platen-and plate, and ahopper adjacent the'open end ofsaid fixed tank section and adapted to becovered by said movable tank section when the. ends of said movablesection and fixed sectionare in abutting relationship, said sheetsbeingv discharged under their own weight into said hopper when saidVmovable section ispositioned so that said hopper is not covered therebyand when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

4. A steeping press-for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in saidpressvertically on edge and inl bundles which are separated by spacers,comprising a fixed tank section open ati its rear end,l a movable tanksection open at its forward end, means'to move said movable tank sectiontoward and away from said xed tank section, meansto secure said tanksections with theropen ends thereof in abutting relationship, a pistonslidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a movable platen adaptedto be disposed adjacent the open endfof saidxed sectionand constituteasupport against which the sheets'in'the tank are pressed by saidpiston, a plateslidably mount'.- ed in saidfxed tanksection ahead ofsaid piston, a pair of` spring-pressed latching' elements carried: bysaid plate, apairof rodsr secured to and extending. forwardly of saidplaten, each rod having a hole adjacent the forward end thereof andadapted. to beengaged by one of said locking elements only-when saidplate moves away from said platenafter the compression stroke of thepiston whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate,and a-hopper adjacent the open end of said' fixed tank section andadapted to be covered by said movable-tank section when. the ends ofsaid movable section and xed section are in abutting relationship, saidsheets being discharged. under. their own weight vinto .said hopper whensaid. movable. tank section is positioned'so that said hopper is notcovered thereby and Whensaid platenand plate are disposed over saidhopper.

5..A steeping. press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arrangedin saidpress vertically on edge and inbundles Ywhich are separated .by spacers,comprisingaiixed tank section openat-its-rear end, a movabletanksection-open at its forward endmeansy to movesaid movable` tanksection toward andaway from. said .xed/tank section,

means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof inabutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tanksection, a movable platen adapted to be disposed adjacent the'iopen endof said fixed section and constitute a support against which the sheetsin the tank are pressed vby said piston, a plate slidably mounted insaid fixed tank section ahead of said piston, a pair of spring-pressedlatching elements carried by said plate, a pair of rodssecured to andextending forwardly of said platen, each rod having a hole adjacent theforward end thereof and adapted to be engaged by one of said lockingelements only when said plate moves away from said platen after thecompression stroke of the piston whereby the sheets are confined betweensaid platen and plate, cam operated means to disengage said latchingelements from said holes, and a hopper adjacent the open end of saidfixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tanksection when the ends of said movable section and fixed section are inabutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their ownweight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned sothat said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plateare disposed over said hopper.

6. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in saidpress vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers,comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tanksection open at its forward end, means to move said movable tank sectiontoward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tanksections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a pistonslidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a movable platen adaptedto be disposed adjacent the open end of said fixed section andconstitute a support against which the sheets in the tank are pressed bysaid piston, means to lock said platen in position, a plate slidablymounted in said xed tank section ahead of said piston, means to locksaid plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen when the pistonis retracted after its compression stroke whereby the sheets areconfined between said platen and plate, and a hopper adjacent the openend of said iixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movabletank section when the ends of said movable section and fixed section arein abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their ownweight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned sothat said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plateare disposed over said hopper.

7. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in saidpress vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers,comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tanksection open at its forward end, means to move said movabvle tanksection toward and away from said fixed tank section, means to securesaid tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship,a piston ,slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a

carrier adapted to move over the top edges of said tank sections, aplaten carried by said carrier and adapted to constitute a supportagainst which the sheets are pressed by said piston, racks on the sidewalls of said tank sections, gears adapted to mesh with said rackscarried on shafts mounted on. the rear face of said platen, movablelocking elements extending transversely of said platen, pockets on thefixed tank section adapted to be engaged by said locking elements, meansadapted to move said locking elements in or out of locking engagementwith said pockets, a plate slidably mounted in said fixed tank sectionahead of said piston, means to lock said plate to and in spacedrelationship to said platen when the piston is retracted after itscompresf sion stroke whereby the sheets are confined between said platenand plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said fixed tank sectionand adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends ofsaid movable section andfixed section are in abutting relationship, saidsheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopper whensaid movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is notcovered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over saidhopper.

8. A steeping pressfor steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in saidpress vertically on'edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers,comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tanksection open at its forward end, means to move said movable tank sectiontoward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tanksections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a pistonslidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a carrier adapted to moveover the top edges of said tank sections, a platen carried by saidcarrier and adapted to constitute a support against which the sheets arepressed by said piston, racks on the side Walls of said tank sections,gears adapted to mesh with said racks carried on shafts mounted on therear face of said platen, drive means to rotate said shafts, a clutchbetween said drive means and each of said shafts, movable lockingelements extending transversely of said platen, pockets on the fixedtank section adapted to be engaged by said locking elements, meansadapted t0 move said locking elements in or out of locking engagementwith said pockets, means to simultaneously operate said clutches andlocking elements, a plate slidably mounted in said fixed tank sectionahead of said piston, means to look said plate t and in spacedrelationship Vto said platen when the piston is retracted after itscompression stroke whereby the sheets are confined between said platenand plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said xed tank sectionand adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends ofsaid movable section and fixed section are in abutting relationship,said sheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopperwhen said movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is notcovered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over saidhopper.

9. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in saidpress vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated -by spacers,comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tanksection open at its forward end, means to move said movable tanksectiontoward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tanksections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a pistonslidably positioned in the fixed tank section, actuating mechanism forsaid piston, a carrier adapted to move over the top edges of said tanksections, a platen carried by said carrier and adapted to constitute asupport against which the sheets are pressed by said piston, racks onthe side walls of said tank sections.

gears adaptedvto mesh with said racks carried on .shafts mounted on therear 'face of said platen, drive means to rotate said shafts, a clutchAbetween said drive means ,and each `of said shafts, movable lockingelements extending transversely of lsaid platen, pockets on-the xed tanksection adapted to be engaged by saidlocking elements, -means adapted tomove said locking elements in or out of lockingengagement with-saidpockets, means to simultaneously operate said clutches and lockingelements, said means also controlling the actuating mechanism forsaid-piston, aplate slidably mounted in said fixed tank section ahead ofsaid piston, means to lock said plate to and in spaced relationship 1 tosaid platenwhen the piston is retracted after its lcompression strokewhereby the sheets vare confined between said platen and plate, and alhopper adjacent the open endrof` said xed tank section and Vadapted rtobe covered bysaid mov- REFERENCES CITED The following vreferences :areof record inthe 'ille lof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,538,886 Berrigan May 26, 19251,696,474 Dutzmann Dec. 25, 1928 2,027,252 Stacy Jan. 7, `1936 2,053,570

MacMilln Sept. 8, 1936

